Improving Personal Productivity

Improving Personal Productivity

By Irawen   November 30, 2018   No comments:

Personal Productivity

Productivity is about maximizing outputs, increasing profits, or both. Personal productivity is ultimately about achieving goals.

 Why is it Important ?

If you are not productive - you are doing things over and over again, you lose your time (which you couldn't regain) and you probably losing money.

Causes of Less Productivity

• Lack of big picture view
• Poor supervision
• Poor communication
• Inconsistency
• Inadequate technologies

 Improving Personal Productiveness

• Tell everyone what you're doing.
• Decide how long you will work.
• Withhold the fun for a while
• Recharge early.

 Tips (Helpful Tips)

1. Make Mental Timetable
2. Create A Daily To-Do List
3. Don't Multi-Task
4. Turn off Social Media

Tools

• Incorporate Automation Tools
• Use Chrome Extensions
• Organize with calendar App
• Smartphone to scan documents

Quote :-

"Get Specified About Your Goals & Keep Them Visible"

Highly Successful People

Habit 1 : Ruthlessly cut away the unimportant
(and Focus on the important)

Habit 2 : Allocate brakes strategically
(Rest when you are tired)

Habit 3 : Remove productivity pit-stops
(Things that limit your productivity)

Habit 4 : Tap into your inspiration
(Channel your inner muse)

Habit 5 : Create barriers to entry
(Don't make yourself too accessible)

Habit 6 : Optimize time pockets
(Make the best of every minute)

Habit 7 : Set timelines
(So things get done)

Habit 8 : Automate everything possible
(Outsource, Delegate, Automate)

Read More

Work-life Balance

Work-life Balance

By Irawen   November 19, 2018   No comments:

Work-life balance is the term used to describe the balance that an individual needs between time allocated for work and other aspects of life.

4 Causes of Imbalance

1. Societal expectations
2. Extreme ambition
3. Desperate for perfection
4. Denied depression

Balance

What is it Not

• Work-Life Balance does not mean an equal balance.
• Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time.
• There is no perfect, one-size fits all

Importance of Work-Life Balance

• To maintain your mental health
• It increase productivity
• More rounded individual 
• You only get one life

Achieving Work-Life Balance

• Learn how to let go of things
• Prioritize your time
• Establish boundaries at work, and stick to them 
• Br selfish about your "me" time
• Ask for help

Quote

Few Tips

Unplug
Limit "Time Wasters"
Meditate
Change Life schedule
Exercise


Conclusion

Work-life balance is about creating and maintaining supportive and healthy environments, which will enable individuals to have balance between work and personal responsibilities and thus strengthen loyalty and productivity.

Read More

Soft Skill - Social Learning

Soft Skill - Social Learning

By Irawen   October 11, 2018   No comments:

Social Learning

People learn from one another, via observation imitation, and modeling.

Social Learning Theory

• Behavior
• Environmental Factors
• Personal Factors

Behavioral Model

The behavioural model of abnormality says that psychological problems are learned behaviours. Behaviours are learned in a process called conditioning, whereby a persons associates one thing with another.

Behaviorist Model

Behaviorist Model (only study observable/external behavior)

• Stimulus in the environment
• Black Box can't be studied
• Response behavior

 
Cognitive Model

A cognitive model is an approximation animal cognitive processes (predominantly human) for the purposes of comprehension and prediction.

Cognitive Model

Cognitive Model (can scientifically study internal behavior)

• Input in the environment
• Mediational Process mental event
• Output behavior

Experiential Learning

Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle

• Do it
• What happened?
• Why/how it happen
• What next?

Student Learning

6 Steps to continuous Improvement of Student Learning

1. Identify Goals
2. Identify Objectives
3. Specify Approaches
4. Specify Measures
5. Share Results
6. Make Changes

" People are social being and want interaction and social learning is the primary from of learning, just as word of mouth advertising, just as word of mouth advertising is the highest from of advertising."
                                                                     ~ Stephen Covey ~

Conclusion 

We learn social behaviour such as aggression through the process of observation learning - through watching the behaviour of another person.

Read More

Soft Skills - Setting SMART Goals

Soft Skills - Setting SMART Goals

By Irawen   October 07, 2018   No comments:

What is SMART Goal Setting?

Organizations use various tools to make their goals achievable. Using SMART goals is one of them. This technique helps you to attain and track your goals. You can verify at every point if what you are doing will get the desired results.

What does SMART goal setting stand for?

S -  What do your want to do?
M - How will you know when you've reached it?
A - Is it in your power accomplish it ?
R - Can you realistically achieve it?
T - When exactly do you want to accomplish it?

S - Specific (What? , Where?, How?, When?)
M - Measurable (Break it down into measurable units)
A - Achievable (Is your goal attainable?)
R - Realistic (How much is it relevant to you?)
T - Timely (Make a Blueprint. Time is Money!)

Tips for SMART Goal Setting

•  Think About the Big Picture 

We always make resolutions. Though, we hardly keep them. We tend to drift apart and forget about them. Breaking them into measurable and realistic segments helps you understand how realistic they are. Whenever you lose the wish to go forward think about the bigger picture. It will help you stay focused.

• Get Down to the Bottom

Once you have seen the bigger picture, you need break the goal into simpler actions. This help you understand how measurable and attainable your goal is. Planning smaller steps makes you build a momentum in the right direction.

• Use a Systemized Formula

We need to write everything down. It will help you to get from one point to another, smoothly. You will start getting the desired results, if you have a proper and structured formula.

• Track your Progress

When we get into the game, we become so engrossed that we forget to check-in the progress. We must make sure that we are always keeping a track of our progress. We should always be best prepared for our next step and celebrate our successes on the way. This will keep us motivated.

• Set an End Date

Open ended goals get you mo where. If there is not an end date, there will be no pressure to achieve it. You need to have a set timeline and break into attainable time limits. No end date often leads to slower progress.

Conclusion

• Setting SMART goals is taking one step closer to your dreams.
• Breaking them into smaller actions and making them attainable is necessary, if you wish them to make visible.
• Do not lose track. Maintain a progress sheet.
• Keep yourself motivated by looking at the bigger picture.
• Celebrate your milestones and work on your limitations.

Read More

Soft Skill - Business Body Language

Soft Skill - Business Body Language

By Irawen   October 05, 2018   No comments:

Business Body Language

Body Language is a language without spoken words, it is called non verbal communication.

Communication is two type

1. Verbal Communication - Which is Spoken with words.
2. Non verbal Communication - Which is Spoken without words.

What is Business Body Language?

→ The conscious and unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes and feelings are communicated.

Few Body Languages Types

How to Read Body Language ?

• Reading Emotional Cues
• Look for signs of anger and/or threat
• Look of expressions of embarrassment
• Look for signals of anxiety
• Notice any manifestations of pride

 Best Body Gestures

1. Smile and be Confident
2. Direct Eye Contact
3.  Be interested and listen
4. Sit up Straight
5. Facial Expressions
6. Relax your body

Benefits of Good Body Gesture

• Connect with people better
• Double your business
• Prevents Conflict
• Improve your Presence
• Open up your  world
• Being happier

" People may not tell you how they feel about you, but they always show you. Pay attention".

Body Language Success

• Art of the Handshake
• Power of Casual Touch
• Understanding Spatial Distance
• Importance of Posture
• Peace

Conclusion

Communication between cultures can be difficult and confusing because of complexities in language; however, with the use of body language, messages become clearer and easily translated because most body language is universal

Read More

Soft Skills - Self Esteem

Soft Skills - Self Esteem

By Irawen   October 05, 2018   No comments:

Self Esteem

Self-esteem reflects an individual's overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth.

What is Self Esteem?

→ How much you appreciate and like yourself. Self-esteem is often seen as a personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring.

Lack of Self  Esteem

• I can't Do it
• Nobody Loves Me
• I'm not Worthy
• I'm Not Good Enough
• Must be Perfect
• I must not Make A Mistake

Symptoms of Low Self Esteem

1. Social withdrawal
2. Eating disorders
3. Inability to accept compliments
4. Self neglect
5. Reluctance to take on challenges

Increasing Self Esteem

• Be mindful  (The Mindful Moment)
• Change the story
• Don't compare-and-despair
• Focus on inner rock star
• Exercise
• Forgiveness

Benefits of Self Esteem

• You are yourself
• You accept Disagreements
• Challenge yourself
• Do not fear Uncertainty
• You are Resilient
• You don't need approval
• More happier
• More committed

Quote

"Your life CHANGE if your self-esteem IMPROVED".

Read More

Self - Confidence

Self - Confidence

By Irawen   October 03, 2018   No comments:

 The concept of self-confidence is commonly used as self-assurance in one's personal judgment, ability, power, etc.

Self-confidence :-

           "SELF-CONFIDENCE is a super power. Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening.

Reasons People are Not Confident

• Trying to be somebody that you are not.
• Criticism affects you
• You don't have the skill
• Affected by painful past experiences
• Don't have supportive people around

6 - Confidence Training

1. Visualize yourself as you want to be.
2. Affirm yourself ( I am improving each day)
3. Do one thing that scares you every day.
4. Question your inner critic.
5. Set yourself up to win.
6. Help someone else.

Benefits of Self Confidence

• Being your best under stress
• Influencing others
• Having leadership presence
• More positive attitude
• Feeling valued
• Being Beautiful
• Being happier
• Having greater freedom

" You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice"

Why people with confidence succeed?

• Knows strengths and weaknesses
•  Live in the now
• Stops measuring success
• Works on happiness
• Set goals

"You can either be your own worst enemy, or your own biggest cheerleader. What's it goanna be?"

Conclusion 

Self-confidence is only an umbrella term for a lot of things. Emotional constraint, humour, empathy, resilience, string relationships, all go into creating the personality that exudes self-confidence.

Read More

Soft Skills - assertiveness

Soft Skills - assertiveness

By Irawen   October 02, 2018   No comments:

 Assertiveness

Assertive means being able to stand up for your own or other people's rights in a calm and positive way, without being either aggressive, or passively accepting wrong.

What is Assertiveness?

→ Assertiveness is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. In the field of psychology and psychotherapy, it is a learn-able skill and mode of communication.

Reasons People are not Assertiveness

• Low Self Esteem
• Big Responsibilities
• Stress
• Past Experience
• Personality Traits

6 Assertive Training

• Value Yourself and Your Rights
• Voice Your Needs & Wants Confidently
• Don't Control Other People's Behaviour
• Express Yourself in a Positive Way
• Be Open to Criticism
• Learn to say "No"

The Scale

  
• Passive 
• Assertive
• Aggressive

 Benefits of Assertiveness

•  High self-confidence
• Recognizing feelings
• Earning respect
• Improved communication
• Creating win-win situations
• Better decision making skills
• Honest relationships
• Job satisfaction

The Assertiveness Triangle

Why people with Assertiveness succeed?

• Communication with everyone
• Good judgement
• Honest Feedback
• Excellent Relationships
• Walk your Talk

Conclusion

   using the components of the concept of assertiveness, many conflicts in a nursing situation can be effectively prevented.

Read More

Anger Management in Soft Skills

Anger Management in Soft Skills

By Irawen   September 30, 2018   No comments:

Anger Management :-

 

Anger management is a psycho-therapeutic program for anger prevention and control.

What is Anger?

Anger is a strong feeling of aggravation or irritation towards or about something.
Causes of Anger

• Threatened or attacked
• Frustrated or powerless
• Like we are being treated unfairly

Symptoms of Anger

• Clenched jaw or fists
• Increase in heart rate
• Red/flushed face
• Shaking
• Feeling hot in the face or neck

Anger Cycle

Escalation Phase

• Denial and discounting of outbursts
• Increased hostility and intimidation
• More frequent and intense anger

Explosion

• Physical and verbal aggression
• Discharge of tension
• Destructiveness

Post-explosion Phase

• Guilt, shame
• Recriminations
• Punishment
• Apology, repair and promises 

Controlling Anger

Advance Solutions & Therapies

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Improvements in communication skills
• Focus on problem-solving
• Avoidance of problematic situations

 

Repercussion of Anger Management

• Hurts your physical health
• Anger destroys
• Anger can make you lose your focus
• Anger destroys relationships

Conclusion

• Anger in itself is in order and normal
• Excessive and Uncontrolled anger is destructive.

Read More

Soft Skills - Overview

Soft Skills - Overview

By Irawen   September 30, 2018   No comments:

Soft skills refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes, and social graces that make someone a good employee and compatible to work with.

What is the Difference?

Hard Skills :-

• Hard skills are specific concrete professional abilities you can either perform or you can’t. 
• They are techniques or knowledge you usually learn at school or through on-the-job training. 
• Hard skills are usually quantifiable and teachable such as accounting strategies, computer programming, or plumbing techniques.

Soft Skills :-

• Soft skills are usually related to your personality and your “people skills.” 
• They take on a more subjective, emotion-based nature than hard skills. 
• Most of the ones you possess were not taught to you in school but a natural result of your emotional intelligence and experience. 
• They are often open to interpretation.

Good Soft Skills.....

• "Will help you STAND OUT in a crowd of mediocrity".

What happens when you don't possess Soft skills?

• Lack of Satisfaction
• Less or no respect in society
• Poor influence in groups.
• Lack of appreciation & Recognition
• Criticism in all levels of life.

Myths

Women are Better at Soft 
            skills
It's too difficult to learn 
  Where do I start
I need to certify myself on 
    soft skills

Personal Attributes which People Look for

• Honesty
• Interpersonal skills
• Integrity
• Dedication
• Manners & Etiquette
• Ethics
• Persistence
• Pride in work
• Good listener
• and many more.......

Benefits of Soft Skills to Organizations

• Increased credibility Customers
• Increased customers satisfaction
• More productive employees
• Out-service the competition 
• Increased employee ROI
• Strong  team and leadership
• Demonstrated dedication to customer Service and support 
• Measurable results and improvements.
• Incentives, rewards, and challenges for Employees

Benefits of Soft Skills to Individuals

• Recognition from the industry, Employer and peers.
• New employment opportunities
• Promotions and advanced opportunities
• Increased ability to perform on The job
• Lifelong responsibilities
• Professional accomplishment
• Businessman
• Public sector Executives

Read More

The Ace of Soft Skills: Attitude, Communication and Etiquette for Success

The Ace of Soft Skills: Attitude, Communication and Etiquette for Success

By Irawen   September 24, 2018   No comments:

BUY: 

The Ace of Soft Skills: Attitude, Communication and Etiquette for Success

 

Our world is witnessing a major change in communication patterns, with expanding social spheres, openness in communication and professionals working in multicultural environments. It is crucial, therefore, that India's workforce remains world-class, through re-training and continuous improvement, to remain competent, competitive and successful. To create and nurture successful professionals, the acquisition, cultivation and fine-tuning of soft skills are highly essential in the given business paradigm. The ACE of Soft Skills is a part of this educational process that produces top-notch professionals. Divided into three parts-Attitude, Communication and Etiquette-this unique book provides a broad-based coverage of what constitute soft skills. The foundations of soft skills lie in a strong attitude this attitude gets manifested as communication, which gets further refined as etiquette. This book covers a wide range of topics-a gamut of nearly 40 essential soft skills-including personal accountability, listening skills, business proposals and the role of small talk and humour at work. The numerous case studies, cartoons, figures, tables and quotations not only offer an insightful, practical and well-rounded perspective into soft skills, but also make reading a joyful experience.

About the Author

Professor Gopalaswamy Ramesh has 30 years of international experience and is an independent consultant and Adjunct Professor at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), SSN School of Management and Computer Applications, Chennai, and Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore. He has also taught at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; Anna University, Chennai; Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, and XLRI Jamshedpur. His vast industry experience covers both India and abroad. He played a key role in the establishment of Oracle India Development Center and was its former Senior Director. He is the author of the National Award¿winning book Managing Global Software Projects, and has also authored Software Testing Principles and Practices and Software Maintenance. Two of these books have also been translated into Chinese. His most recent book is The ACE of Soft Skills: Attitude, Communication and Etiquette for Success. He currently offers consultancy services in the areas of project management and soft skills to several companies in India and abroad. He holds an MS in engineering management from Stanford University, California; MS in computer science from IIT Madras and BE from IISc Bangalore.

Mahadevan Ramesh graduated from IIT Kanpur (five-year integrated MSc degree in Physics) and earned a PhD (Physics) from the Ohio State University, USA. Following a research stint in the electrical and computer engineering department in Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, he worked for Storage Technology Corporation (now a part of Sun Microsystems/Oracle), and for Maxtor Corporation (now a part of Seagate Technologies) at Colorado, USA. He held leadership positions in global product teams and spent considerable time on the factory floor in Singapore, working with stakeholders from many different cultures, and learnt first hand the importance of soft skills. He is currently an adjunct professor in the SN School of Management and Computer Applications, and he also consults on management and engineering, specializing in production and operations management.

Read More

HR Interview questions and Answers

HR Interview questions and Answers

By Irawen   September 23, 2018   No comments:

Soft skills are a cluster of productive personality traits that characterize one's relationships in a milieu. These skills can include social graces, communication abilities, language skills, personal habits, cognitive or emotional empathy, time management, teamwork and leadership traits.

   A definition based on review literature explains soft skills as an umbrella term for skills under three key functional elements: people skills, social skills, and personal career attributes. National Business Education Association deems soft skills as critical for being industrious in today’s workplace. Soft skills complement hard skills also known as technical skills, for productive workplace performance and everyday life competencies (Arkansas Department of Education, 2007). Hard skills were the only skills necessary for career employment and were generally quantifiable and measurable from educational background, work experience or through interview.

  In the 20th century soft skills are a major differentiator, a sine qua non for employability and success in life.A study conducted by Harvard University noted that 80% of achievements in career are determined by soft skills and only 20% by hard skills. Experts say soft skills training should begin for a person when they are students, to perform efficiently in their academic environment as well as in their future workplace. A public interest study conducted by McDonald’s in UK predicted over half a million people will be held back from job sectors by 2020 due to lack of soft skills.

Read More